Locking mechanism



Patented Mar. 8, 1921. 4 SHEETS-SHEET l J. T. BINKLEY.

LOCKING MECHANISM;

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 10, 1919.

J T. BlNKLEY.

LOCKING MECHAN|SM.. APPLICATION FILED 02019. 1919.

Patented Mar. 8,1921.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2- ATTORNEYS 'J. T. BINKLEY.

LOCKING MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED 0150,10, I919.

Patentd Mar. 8, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4- PATENT OFFICE.

UNITED STATES JOHN '1. BINKLEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,,ASSIGNOR TO HENRY IiIKLEY & COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

LOCKING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 8, 1921.

Application filed December 10,1919. Serial No. 343,941. a

T 0 all 20 ham it may concern:

Be it knownthat I, JOHN T. BINKLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Looking Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates particularly to locking mechanism for trunks, or for analogous purposes; and the primary object is to provide strong and durable locking mechanism for such purposes, which is capable of securing the closure at several points, and which may be operated with The invention is illustrated, in its preferred embodiment, in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a broken elevational view of a trunk, or portable container, equipped with the improved locking mechanism; Fig. 2, a broken vertical sectional view, looking from the rear toward the front of the trunk; Fig. 3, an-enlarged broken sectional view taken as indicated at line 3 of Fig. 4 and showing one of a series L of catches, or hooks, with which the trunk closure is equipped, said catches co-acting with alongitudinally slidable lock-bar disposed in a suitable housing at the longitudinal edge of one wall of the trunk-body; Fig. 4, a broken section taken as indicated at line 4 of... Fig. 3; Fig. 5, a broken plan view, showing the housing for the sliding lock-bar employed; Fig. 6, an enlarged broken sectional view taken as indicated at line 6 of Fig. 2, and illustrating a catchdevice adapted to temporarily hold the lock-bar in retracted or non-locking posi-v tion; Fig. 7 an enlarged broken vertical sectional view, similar to the section shown in.Fig. 2, but showing. the inner plate of the lock-casing removed; Fig. 8, a plan sectional view taken as indicated at line 8 of Fig. 7; Fig." 9,,a broken vertical sectional view through the lock-casing, showing the parts in locked condition; Fig. 10, a similar sectional view, showing the lock-bar-actuator in the released or unlocked position; and Fig. 11, an outer face view of the lockcasing, illustrating the position of the lockbar-actuator when it is in position to hold the lock-bar retracted so that the closure of the trunk is released.

great facilit y.- constructed in any suitable manner.

In the construction illustrated, A represents the body of a trunk, or similar con tainer, having the upper edge of its front wall equipped with a metallic housing A in which is mounted a longitudinally-shiftable lock-bar A '13, a closure connected with the body of the trunk in the usual a housing A for the lock-bar A The housing A preferably comprises a sheet-metal member of channel form, having the webportion 1 spaced ashort distance above the upper edge of the front wall of the body A,

and having a depending outer flange 1 and a depending inner flange 1 which embrace the outer and inner surfaces, respectively, of said wall, said flanges being securely fastened to said wall, as by means of rivets 2.

The lock-bar A rests flatwise upon, or against, the edge 3 of the front wall of the body of the trunk, being confined in thespace between the web 1 and the edge surface 8, as will be clearly understood from Figs. 3 and 4. ,The web 1 is provided at intervals, corresponding with the spacing of the closure-carried lock-members B, with slots 4. The slots 4 are adapted to accommodate the members B; At points corresponding with the'perforations, or slots, 4, the web 1 is reinforced by small metal plates, or inserts, 5, which are provided with slots registering with the slots 4, and which are held in place by lugs, or beads, 6. These inserts reinforce the web, or upper Wall, 1, of the housing A and afford bearings for the upper surface of the sliding lock-barv A .The lock-bar A preferably comprises a substantial steel bar which is provided at intervals corresponding with the spacing of the members B with slots 7 The members B preferably comprise heavy steel members having shank-portions 8 secured -b rivets 8 to the front wall of the closure and having catch-portions, or fingers, '8",

' face tomaticallyvshifted when the lid of the trunk foration,

provided with bar-engaging notches 8. The portions 8 are provided with beveled surfaces 8 which are adapted, in the operation of closing the trunk, to engage the corresponding end walls of the slots 7 and shift the lock-bar A against the force of a tension spring 9 (Fig. 2), which serves to automatically throw the lock-bar to the locking position.

Thelock-bar A the force of the sprlng 9 by means with which the lock mechanism 0 is equipped, as will be explained presently.

The front wall of the closure B is equipped on its inner surface with a catch device D adapted to engage the lock-bar after it has been manually retracted in the operation of unlocking the trunk, the purpose being to enable the operator to employ both hands, if desired, to open the lid of the trunk. The device D comprises a housing 10 secured to the inner surface of the front wall of the closure B; a spring 11 in said housing; and a plunger 12 working through the lower end of said housing 10 and adapted to extend through a perforation 13 with which the lock-bar is provided. The perforation 13 is so placed that it will only be engaged by the plunger 12 when the look-bar is fully retracted against the force of the spring 9. The lock-bar is released from the plunger 12 when the trunk-lid is opened; and when the trunk-lid is closed, the lock-bar having in the meantime been shifted by the spring 9, the lower end of the plunger will ride upon the upper surof the lock-bar as the lock-bar is auis closed. It will be understood that in the operation of closing the lid. the beveled surfaces 8 of the lock-members B engage the ends of the slots 7 and shift the lock-bar against the force of the spring 9, and the spring then returns the lock-bar to the looking position shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The upper edg -portion of the front wall of the trunk-bodyis provided with a hole, or. per- 14, into which-the plunger 12 may extend when the hole 13 is brought into registration with the plunger by shifting the lock-bar to the fully retracted position. The' upper edge-portion of the front wall of the trunk-body is provided, also, with recesses, or slots, 15, which aocommoda-tethe catchportions of the lock-members B.

The lock mechanism C comprises an outer casing-plate 16 and an inner casing-plate 17,. which are connected by rivets 17; a bodily-shiftable lock-controlled rock-member, or lever. 18, adapted to shift the lockbar A against the force of the spring 9, said member 18 comprising a heavy stud, or rockshaft, 18?, equipped at its outer end with an actuating handle 18*, and equipped within the lock-casing with a rigidly-secured may be retracted against collar 18 which carries a yoke 18 adapted to actuate the lock-bar A a spring 19 which serves to project or force outwardly the member 18 to a position shown in Fig.

10, after said member 18 has been released by a suitable key; a dog, or detent. 20, connected by a pivot 2O" with the front wall of the lock-casing, and adapted, when the member 18 is pressed inwardly to the position shown in Fig. 9, to engage the collar 18 and lock the member 18, the free end of the member 20 being provided with an inwardly .ployed to actuate-the lock bar A against the force of thespring 9.

The slot of the yoke 18 engages a stud 23 carried by a depending arm 24 which is rigidly secured to the lock-bar A The stud 23 is. of sufficient length to be always in engagement with the slot ofthe yoke 18 as will be understood from Figs. 9 and 1( The front plate 16 of the lock-case 1s provided with a recess, or depression, 16*, which conforms in outline to and is adapted to accommodate the lever. or handle, 18*. The free end of the handle 18 is provided on its inner side with a beveled stud 25 which is adapted to be centered in a socket 25 constituting a counter-sink, or perforation, at

the lower end of the main recess 16*. 'The purpose is to insure the proper centering of the lever 18 as the member 18 is pressed into the locked position.

The spring 19 is received in a bore 9 with which the stud 18 is provided, and the inner end of vthe spring bears against a member 26, which is illustrated as formed integrally with the inner wall of the lock-case.

The key,or barrel, 22, is located a suitable distance from the bar-actuating member 18 and is provided with akey-slot 22". Suitable dogs, or tumblers, of any desired type (not shown) are employed to lock the barrel 22 with relation to the lock-case. When the key is inserted, the tumblers are disengaged and the barrel may be turned by .means of the key, thus causing the trip-arm 7 22 to effect release of the dog 20 through the medium of the trip-arm 20". Thus. the

member 18 is released from the dog 20 and forced outwardly by the spring 19 to the position shown in Fig. 10. When the member 18 is thus released and in the projected position, the operator may turn the handle 18' to the position shownin Fig. 11, thus shifting the lock-bar so as to disengage it the stud 18 causes the from the catches B. This permits the trunk-lid to be thrown open.

The lock-case is firmly secured to the flanges of the housing A and the front wall of the trunk-body by means of rivets 27.

It is preferred to off-set the outer flange 1 of the housing A, as indicated at 28, to accommodate an overlapping steel binding strip29, with which the front wall of the trunk closure is equipped. Also, it is preferredto equip the front wall of the closure B with a series of dowels 30 which are adapted to engage a corresponding series of sockets 31, with which the upper edge-portion of the front wall of the trunk-body is equipped. The dowels and sockets may comprise suitably stamped sheet-metal members which are provided with flanges secured, respectively, by rivets 30 and 51 to the closure of the trunk and the body of the trunk. When the lid is closed, the dowels 30 simply slide into the sockets 31 in the manner shown in Fig. 4. It is unnecessary to provide l0ck ing means for thedowels, inasmuch as the trunk is locked interiorly at corresponding points ,by the lock-bar A engaging the members B, which are disposed directly' back of the dowels.

The operation may be stated briefly: When it is desired to open the trunk, a key is inserted in the barrel 22, thereby disengaging the tumblers. Rotation of the key turns the barrel 22, and, through the medium of the arm 22, effects release of the dog 20, thus permitting the spring 19 toforce the member 18 to the projected position shown in Fig. 10.: The operator then grasps the handle 18 and by turning or rotating yoke 18 to retract the locking bar A against the force of the spring 9. The catch-device D secures the lock-bar in the fully retracted position. The operator is then free to use both hands in lifting the trunk-lid. When the trunk-lid is lifted, the sprin 9 returns the lock-bar to the locking positlon; and when the trunklid is closed again, the lock-members B cause the lock-bar to be automatically shifted, and the spring 9 returns the lock-bar into locking engagement with the members B. The operator then'forces the actuating member 18 inwardly against the force of the spring 19, and the member 18 is automatically locked in the closed position by the dog 20 springing into position outside the collar 18.

It will be noted that the housing for the lock-bar forms a strong reinforcement for the upper edge of the front wall of the trunk-body; also that the lockbar is disposed parallel with the upper edge of the front wall of the trunk-body; also that the lock-members'B' are rigidly carried by the lid, or closure, of the trunk and have catch- 'portions adapted to project into the lockthe trunk closure is securely fastened automatically to the body of the trunk when the lid of the trunk is'closed; and when the bar-actuating member 18 is pressed inwardly to the position shown in Fig. 9, it becomes automatically locked in this osition, so that the lock-bar cannot be shlfted again to release the members B of the closure until a key is employed to release the barrel 22 and turn the same to effect release of the bar-actuating member 18.

The construction described is simple, durable, and may be manipulated with the greatest facility. The device provides thoroughly practicable means for securely locking a trunk closure at a plurality of points.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitation should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

What I regard as new and desire so secure byLetters Patent is:

1. The combination with a container comprising sections having walls adapted to 95 close together, of a pluralityof lock-members projecting from the edge-portion of one of said walls and provided with lockbar engaging shoulders, a shiftable lockbar mounted at the edge-portion of the other wall and provided with a plurality of shoulders adapted to engage said first-named shoulders, a spring serving automatically to throw said lock-bar to the locking position, said lock-members being provided with means for automatically shifting said lockbar in the. operation of closing the container, and an exteriorly accessible key-controlled actuating member mounted on the wall which carries said lock-bar and serving to actuate the lock-bar in the operation of releasing it from said lock-members.

2. The combination with a container comprising sections having walls adapted to close together, of a plurality of lock-mem- 115 bers projecting from the edge-portion of one of said walls and provided with lock-bar engaging shoulders, a shiftable lock-bar mounted at the edge-portion of the other wall and provided with a plurality of shoul- 120 ders adapted to engage said rst-named shoulders, a spring serving automatically to throw said lock-bar to the locking position, said lock-members being provided with means for automatically shifting said lock- 125 bar in the operation of closing the container, a spring-projected lever adapted to retract said lock-bar, and key-controlled means adapted to lock said lever when it is forced inwardly against the springtrolled locking means for said 3. The combination with a, container comengaging shoulders, a shiftable lock-bar mounted at the edge-portion of the other wall and provided with a pluralit of shoulders adapted to engage said rst-named shoulders, a spring servmg automatically to throw said lock-bar to the locking position, said lock-members being provided with means for automatically shifting said lockbar in the operation of closing the container, a bodily-shiftable rock-lever adapted to retract saidlock-ba-r, and key-conrock-lever. 4. The combination with a container comprising sections having walls adapted to closetogether, of a'plurality of lock-members projecting from the edge-portion of one of said walls and provided with lockbar engagin shoulders, a shiftable lockbar mounte at the edge-portion of the other wall and provided with a plurality of shoulders adapted to engage said firstnamed shoulders, a spring serving automatically to throw said lock-bar to the locking position, said lock-members being provided with means for automatically shifting said lock-bar in the operation of closing the container, an outwardly movable rock-lever comprising a pivot-stud equipped with means for retracting said lock-bar and a handle rigidl mounted on the outer end of said stud, an key-controlled meansadapted to engage said stud, and lock said rock-lever I in the inwardly pressed position.

5. The combination with a container comprising sections having walls adapted to close together, of a plurality of lock-members carried by one of said walls and projecting from the edge thereof, a shiftable lock-bar mounted on the other wall and provided with means for interlockingly enga ing said lock-members, and a key-controdled spring-projected rock-lever mounted in said last-mentioned wall and adapted to move in an axial direction and adapted also to turn to actuate said lock-bar.

6. The combination with a container comprising sections having walls adapted to close together, of a plurality of lock-members carried by one of said walls and projecting from the edge thereof, a shiftable lock-bar mounted on the other wall and provided with means for interlockingly engaging said lock-members, a' lock-case mounted in said last-mentioned wall and having its outer face provided with a derock-lever pression, a spring-projected mounted in said lock-case and equipped with means for actuating said lock-bar and equipped also with an arm adapted to engage said depression, and key-controlled means mounted in said lock-case and adapted to secure said rock-lever when it is in the inwardly-shifted position.

7. The combination with a container comprising sections having walls adapted to close together, of a plurality of lock-members rojecting from one of said walls, a

shifta le lock-bar mounted at the edgeportion of the other of said walls and provided with means for interlockingly engaging said lock-members, a lock-case mounted in the last-mentioned wall, a spring-projected rock-lever comprising a pivot-stud equipped with means for "actuating said dock-bar and having its outer end equipped with a rigid-actuating arm, said pivot-stud being provided with a shoulder, a dog mounted in said lock-case and adapted to engage said shoulder when said rock-lever 5 is shifted inwardly, and key-controlled means mounted in said lock-case and adapted to release said dog.

8. The combination with a container comprising sections having walls adapted to close together, a plurality of lock-members.

carried by one of said walls, a lock-bar housing other of said walls, a shiftable lock-bar in said housing provided with means for interlockingly engaging said lock-members, a spring adapted to throw said lock-bar to the locking position, and key-controlled exteriorl accessibleactuating means mounted in sai last-mentioned wall and adapted to retract said lock-bar.

9. The combination with a pair of container sections having walls adapted to close together, of a plurality of lock-members orming' an edge-portion for the carried by one of said walls, a springactuated lock-bar mounted at the edge-portion of the other wall and provided with means for interlockingly engaging said lockmembers, a spring-projected bodily-shiftable rock-member carried by the secondnamed Wall and adapted to retract said lockbar, a spring-held dogadapted to engage said rock-member and lock it in its inwardly-pressed position, and a key-controlled barrel provided with atrip-arm adapted to release-said dog.

' 10. The combination with a. pair or container sections having walls adapted to close together, of a plurallty of locking members carried by one, of said walls, a springactuated lock-bar carried by the other wall and provided with means for interlockingly engaging said lock-members, said lock-bar being equipped with a rigidly attached stud,

a lock-case mounted in said last-named wall,

a rock-lever mounted in said lock case and equipped with a yoke engaging said stud, and key-controlled means adapted to lock said rock-member to said lock-case.

11.- The combination with a pair of container sections having walls adapted to ramp-11 close together, (if a plurality of lock-members projecting from one of said walls, a springactuated lock-bar slidably mounted at the upper edge of the other wall and provided with a plurality of slots, said lockmembers having beveled extremities adapted to shift said lock-bar, a. key-controlled I actuating member adapted to retract said lock-bar, and a catch device mounted on said first-mentioned wall and adapted to en- 10 gage said lock-bar after retraction thereof and hold the lock-bar out of engagement with said lock members during the operation of separating said walls.

JOHN T. BINKLEY. 

